Asking for Help is Smarter Than You Think

• There is no way you can be great at everything in your business. You’ll be great at maybe a few things and the rest you’re either going to have to learn (last resort), delegate, outsource or hire. (Isn’t that a relief in fact?)

• Asking is not a sign of weakness. It’s actually the most courageous and intelligent thing you could do. People who are highly successful have consistently sought advice and guidance from others.

• Women are notoriously bad at asking for help but it is a learned trait just like learning to ride a bike. With practice, you’ll be more and more comfortable doing so. No better time than today to start!

• Learning from others and asking for guidance and advice will get your faster and further in your business than sitting in your office plotting a path that has already been traveled by many, many others.

Tips on Asking for Help

1 | Put your request in context

If a friend or colleague came to you to ask for help would you be bothered, annoyed, angry or put out? Probably not, so why would you think that when you ask someone else for help?

Don’t predetermine the outcome by thinking you’re going to get a No either! Be open.

2 | Life is about reciprocity

Offer something in return when you do ask. Either a very sincere verbal thank you, an introduction to someone they ought to know, a personalized thank you card or some sort of social media blast for their business or project. There is always a way to reciprocate and say thanks.

3 | Be thoughtful with your ask

You may have a long list of questions to ask someone but be concise and perhaps go in with one burning question to save time. If they seem like they’d be open to answering another question or two, ask if they have time before proceeding.

4 | Be specific

Be specific with what you’re asking for. Are you asking for guidance or for an introduction? Are you asking for someone to do 2 hours of work or 2 weeks worth of work?  If you’re clear then they will be able to clearly help you.

Speaking of time. Just plain be courteous of other people’s time.

What’s the worst that can happen?

They could say “no”. That’s it. Not the end of the world, really!

And that “no” may have little to do with your ‘ask’ and could be for other reasons as well. Don’t take it personally.  Do dive into the rabbit hole of self-doubt, fear, and negativity.

So…